Washing machine and steam generator thereof

ABSTRACT

The steam generator includes a body, a pipe passing through the body and connected to the body such that both ends of the pipe are protruded to the outside of the body, and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2009-0131592, filed on Dec. 28, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a washing machine having a steam generator which more rapidly and effectively achieves washing and drying of laundry and obtains laundry wrinkle removal and sterilization effects.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, washing machines are apparatuses which wash laundry using frictional force between the laundry and wash water. Among these washing machines, a drum washing machine will be exemplarily described hereinafter.

The drum washing machine, which washes laundry using friction between wash water and a drum rotated by driving force of a motor under the condition that a tub is installed horizontally, the drum is installed within the tub, and a detergent and the wash water are put into the drum, is being favorably used by many customers.

Further, a drum washing machine additionally having a drying function to supply hot air to rapidly dry laundry after a wash cycle has been introduced, and a drum washing machine having a steam generator spraying steam to the inside of a drum to improve sterilization and washing performances has been introduced.

A heater to heat water so as to generate steam is mounted within the steam generator. Water heated by the heater is converted into steam, and is sprayed to the inside of the drum through a spray nozzle.

However, when the conventional steam generator is used for a long time, the steam generator becomes encrusted with scale, and thus the steam generator may be clogged and the nozzle and a seal need to be separately connected to a body.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect to provide a steam generator for washing machines in which a pipe is formed integrally with a body by insert casting and thus a nozzle and a seal are omitted so as to improve assembly efficiency and eliminate clogging due to scales, and a washing machine having the same.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

In accordance with one aspect, a steam generator includes a body, a pipe passing through the body and connected to the body such that both ends of the pipe are protruded to the outside of the body, and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.

A portion of the pipe disposed within the body may contact the body so as to receive heat transmitted from the body.

The body may be formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto.

The pipe may be made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam.

The steam generator may further include a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater.

The safety device may be mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body.

The safety device may include a bimetal.

The steam generator may further include a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater.

In accordance with another aspect, a washing machine includes a water supply pipe, a steam supply pipe, a pipe provided with one end connected to the water supply pipe and the other end connected to the steam supply pipe to generate steam, a body surrounding the pipe to transmit heat to the pipe, and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.

The body may be made of a metal having high conductance and low specific gravity.

The body may be formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto.

The pipe may be made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam.

The washing machine may further include a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater.

The safety device may be mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body.

The safety device may include a bimetal.

The washing machine may further include a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam generator in accordance with the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steam generator taken along the line I-I of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the steam generator taken along the line II-II of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating operation of the steam generator of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of a washing machine in accordance with one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a drum washing machine in accordance with one embodiment includes a case 10 forming an external appearance of the drum washing machine, a cylindrical tub 11 provided in the case 10 and filled with wash water, and a cylindrical drum 12 rotatably installed in the tub 11.

The tub 11 and the drum 12 are respectively provided with openings formed through front surfaces thereof such that a user can put and take laundry into and out of the drum 12 through the openings thereof, and a door 13 is hinged to one side of a front surface of the case 10 so as to open and close the openings of the tub 11 and the drum 12.

A drain pipe 15 and a drain pump 16 to discharge wash water to the outside, and a suspension device 17 to absorb vibration generated from the drum 12 when the drum 12 is rotated and to support the tub 12 are installed under the tub 11.

The drum 12 is rotated by rotary force transmitted from a driving motor 18 installed in a lower portion of the case 10, and through holes 12 a are formed through a circumferential surface of the drum 12 such that water is introduced into the drum 12 and discharged to the outside via the through holes 12 a. Further, a plurality of lifters 12 b is protruded inwardly from the inner surface of the drum 12 so as to lift laundry to wash the laundry using head of water as the drum 12 is rotated.

A hot air supply device 20 to supply hot air after the wash cycle to rapidly dry the laundry is provided above the upper surface of the drum 12. The hot air supply device 20 includes a motor 21 to generate driving force, a fan 22 connected to the motor 21 and rotated, and a drying duct 23 to guide air supplied by rotary force of the fan 22. A heater 24 to heat the air supplied by the rotary force of the fan 22 is installed within the drying duct 23. The drying duct 23 is communicated with the upper portion of the front surface of the tub 11 and thus supplies the air, heated by the heater 24, to the tub 11, and the laundry in the drum 12 is rotated and is dried by the hot air.

A support plate 25 interconnecting central portions of upper ends of front and rear panels of the case 10 is installed on the upper surface of the case 10. A steam generator 40 is mounted on the support plate 25 using a bracket 41.

The steam generator 40 is a device which generates steam by heating water using a heater (not shown). The steam generated from the steam generator 40 is sprayed into the drum 12 during the wash cycle, thereby sterilizing and disinfecting the laundry in the drum 12 and minimizing a degree of wrinkles of the laundry in the drum 12.

A water supply pipe 42 to supply water is connected to one end of the steam generator 40, and a steam supply pipe 43 to supply steam generated from the steam generator 40 to the inside of the tub 11 is connected to the other end of the steam generator 40 so as to connect the steam generator 40 to the drying duct 23.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the steam generator 40 in accordance with the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steam generator 40 taken along the line I-I of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the steam generator 40 taken along the line II-II of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the steam generator 40 includes a body 110, a pipe 100, and a heater 120.

The body 110 is connected to the pipe 100 such that the body 110 surrounds the pipe 110. Since one end and the other end of the pipe 100 are respectively connected to an inlet hose and an outlet hose, both ends of the pipe 100 are exposed to the outside. The body 110 transmits heat required for heat exchange to the pipe 100.

The body 110 may be made of a metal having high conductance and low specific gravity. Since the body 110 serves to transmit heat from the heater 120 to the pipe 100, the body 110 may be made of a metal having high conductance in order to improve efficiency of the steam generator 40. Further, the body 110 may be made of a metal having low specific gravity in order to reduce the overall weight of the steam generator 40.

For example, aluminum is used as the metal having high conductance and low specific gravity.

The body 110 may be formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe 100 is inserted thereinto. Since heat required to generate steam is transmitted to the pipe 100 through the body 110, it is more effective that the pipe 100 be attached closely to the body 110 such that heat is transmitted from the body 110 to the pipe 100 through conduction. In order to attach the outer surface of the pipe 100 closely to the body 110, the body 110 may be formed in the diecasting method under the condition that the pipe 100 is inserted thereinto.

The pipe 100 passes through the body 110 and is connected to the body 110 such that both ends of the pipe 100 are protruded to the outside of the body 110. One end of the pipe 100 serves as an inlet, through which water is introduced into the pipe 100, and the other end of the pipe 100 serves as an outlet, through which steam is discharged to the outside of the pipe 100. Therefore, the inside of the pipe 100 is a place to generate steam. Water introduced into the inlet is converted into steam by heat exchange within the pipe 100, and then the steam is discharged to the outside of the pipe 100 through the outlet.

The inlet hose and the outlet hose are connected directly to the pipe 100. In order to prevent separation of the inlet hose and the outlet hole from the pipe 100, separate clamps (not shown) may be applied.

The pipe 100 may be configured so as to have a uniform cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet, in consideration of production costs and ease of assembly.

In order to prevent accumulation of scales on the inner wall of the pipe 100, the pipe 100 may be made of a metal having high corrosion resistance. When the steam generator 40 is used for a long time, scales are easily accumulated on a steam generating part continuously contacting water and steam. The scales disturb a free flow of water or steam and further block a flow channel as well as reduce heat exchange efficiency. If the pipe 100 is made of a metal having high corrosion resistance, generation of scales may be minimized although the steam generating part continuously contacts water or steam.

For example, stainless steel (SUS) is used as the metal having high corrosion resistance.

Further, the pipe 100 may be made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam. Water introduced into the pipe 100 is converted into steam through heat exchange in the pipe 100, and heat generated at this time is transmitted from the outside of the pipe 100 to the pipe 100. Therefore, efficiency of the steam generator 40 closely relates to conductance of the pipe 100.

The heater 120 mounted in the body 110 serves to transmit heat to the body 110 so as to heat water introduced into the pipe 100. The heater 120 is mounted in the body 100, and firstly transmits heat to the body 110. Then, as descried above, the body 110 secondarily transmits the heat, transmitted, from the heater 120, to the pipe 100. The heat transmitted from the heater 120 to the pipe 100 is used to convert the water, introduced into the pipe 100, into steam.

The heater 120 may be a metal sheath heater. The metal sheath heater is advantageous in that it is resistant to external physical impact, has excellent thermal efficiency, and is installed in various shapes. In order to increase a thermal conduction rate to the body 110, the metal sheath heater may be installed in the body 110 in a U shape.

The heater 120 may be buried under the body 110 through an insert molding method. The heater 120 may be attached closely to the body 110 using the insert molding method, and thus the thermal conduction rate from the heater 120 to the body 110 may be increased.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the steam generator 40 further includes a safety device 130 to prevent the body 110 from being melted due to overheating.

When the steam generator 40 is used for a long time, the steam generator 40 may overheat. When the steam generator 40 in the overheated state is left as it is, the pipe 100, the body 110, and the heater 120 may be melted or damaged. Particularly, the metal body 110, to which the heat from the heater 120 is directly transmitted, may be melted by a high temperature. Therefore, the steam generator 40 may further include the safety device 130.

The safety device 130 switches on and off power supplied to the steam generator 40. When the steam generator 40 becomes more than a designated temperature, the safety device 130 interrupts power supplied to the steam generator 40. When the power is interrupted, the temperature of the steam generator 40 is lowered, and then when the steam generator 40 becomes less than the designated temperature, the safety device 130 applies power to the steam generator 40. In order to sense the temperature of the steam generator 40, the safety device 130 may include a temperature sensor. Although this embodiment illustrates that the safety device 130 itself switches power supplied to the steam generator 40, the safety device 130 may switch on and off power supplied to the steam generator 40 based on a control signal of a control unit (not shown).

The safety device 130 is mounted in a safety device mounting recess 111 provided on the body 110. In this case, since the safety device 130 is installed directly on the body 110, the safety device 130 may switch on and off power supplied to the steam generator 40 according to a variation in the temperature of the body 110, as described above.

The safety device 130 may be a bimetal. If the bimetal is used as the safety device 130, the temperature sensor and the control unit (not shown) are omitted. When the bimetal is mounted in the safety device, mounting recess 11 of the body 110, the bimetal switches on and off power supplied to the steam generator 40 according to a variation in the temperature of the body 110. A standard of the bimetal is determined in consideration of a material and a safe temperature of the body 110, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the steam generator 40 further includes a temperature fuse 140 to interrupt power supplied to the steam generator 40.

As described above, when the steam generator 40 in the overheated state is left as it is, the pipe 100, the body 110, and the heater 120 may be melted or damaged. Therefore, the steam generator 40 may further include the temperature fuse 140.

The temperature fuse 140 cuts off a current flow at both ends thereof, when it reaches more than a cutoff temperature. A standard of the temperature fuse 140 is determined in consideration of the material and the safe temperature of the body 110, etc.

The temperature fuse 140 may be installed at least one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater 120. Here, the temperature fuse 140 may be installed at a position close to the body 110 so as to sense a variation in the temperature of the stem generator 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the steam generator 40 is fixed to the case 10 of the washing machine using the bracket 41.

The steam generator 40 is installed the case 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine through the bracket 41. That is, the plate 25 is provided in the forward and backward direction of the case 10, one side surface of the bracket 41 is connected to a front surface of the support plate 25, and the steam generator 40 is connected to the other side surface of the bracket 41 and thus the steam generator 40 is installed on the case 10 of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating operation of the steam generator of the washing machine in accordance with the embodiment.

When power is applied to the steam generator 40 and a water supply valve 45 is opened, water is introduced into the pipe 100 through the water supply pipe 42. The water is converted into steam by heat transmitted from the heater 120 in the pipe 100, and the steam is guided along the steam supply pipe 43 and is supplied to the inside of the drum (not shown) of the washing machine through a nozzle 44 connected to the other end of the steam supply pipe 43.

The control unit 50 adjusts the flow rate of the water supply valve 45 and controls opening and closing of the water supply valve 45 in order to maximally convert the water introduced into the steam generator 40 into the steam.

In order to prevent the body 110 from being melted due to overheating of the heater 120, when the temperature of the body 110 reaches a designated temperature, the safety device 130, i.e., the bimetal interrupts power applied to the steam generator 40. Under the condition that the power applied to the steam generator 40 is interrupted, the control unit 50 may close the water supply valve 45 such that water is not introduced into the steam generator 40 any more. When the power interruption state is continued and thus the temperature of the steam generator 40 falls below the designated temperature, the safety device 130, i.e., the bimetal applies power to the steam generator 40 to operate the heater 120. Then, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 45 such that water is introduced into the pipe 100.

As is apparent from the above description, in a steam generator in accordance with one embodiment, an inlet and an outlet are integrated into one pipe, thereby reducing the number of workpieces and assembly instruments and the number of part assembly processes, and minimizing scale generation.

Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 

1. A steam generator comprising: a body; a pipe passing through the body and connected to the body such that both ends of the pipe are protruded to the outside of the body; and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.
 2. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the pipe disposed within the body contacts the body so as to receive heat transmitted from the body.
 3. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto.
 4. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam.
 5. The steam generator according to claim 1, further comprising a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater.
 6. The steam generator according to claim 5, wherein the safety device is mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body.
 7. The steam generator according to claim 5, wherein the safety device includes a bimetal.
 8. The steam generator according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater.
 9. A washing machine comprising: a water supply pipe; a steam supply pipe; a pipe provided with one end connected to the water supply pipe and the other end connected to the steam supply pipe to generate steam; a body surrounding the pipe to transmit heat to the pipe; and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.
 10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the body is made of a metal having high conductance and low specific gravity.
 11. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the body is formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto.
 12. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the pipe is made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam.
 13. The washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater.
 14. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the safety device is mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body.
 15. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the safety device includes a bimetal.
 16. The washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater.
 17. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the pipe is formed integrally with the body by insert casting and does not include either of a nozzle and a seal. 